re National President, National Vice President and 39 Members and Associates of the Devils Diciples Motorcycle Gang Indicted By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:28:15 EDT An indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Michigan charges 41 members and associates of the Devils Diciples Motorcycle Gang, including National President Jeff Garvin Smith and National Vice President Paul Anthony Darrah, for their alleged participation in a variety of criminal offenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Rehabilitation Agency Owner in Detroit Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Role in $3 Million Therapy Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:54:52 EDT Detroit-area resident Tariq Mahmud, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn in the Eastern District of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Alabama Businessman, Lobbyist and Legislator Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Wide-Ranging Conspiracy to Influence and Corrupt Activities of Alabama State Legislature By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:00:53 EDT Three individuals, including Alabama businessman Ronald Gilley, lobbyist Jarrod Massey and former Alabama state representative Terry Spicer were sentenced to prison today in Montgomery, Ala., for bribery-related offenses. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Readout of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Meeting and MoU Signing with Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:48:15 EDT Attorney General Eric Holder and Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs Datuk Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein met today, during the Attorney General’s official visit to Malaysia, to discuss transnational crime, terrorism and other areas of mutual law enforcement cooperation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re U.S. and Tennessee Announce Clean Water Act Agreement with the City of Chattanooga By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:01:34 EDT The Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General announced today a comprehensive Clean Water Act settlement with the city of Chattanooga, Tenn. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Settles with State of Nevada to Enforce Employment Rights of Returning Army Reservist By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:49:16 EDT The settlement in this case represents the largest recovery the Civil Rights Division has obtained on behalf of a returning service member since 2004, when it assumed jurisdiction for the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re The Nordam Group Inc. Resolves Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Violations and Agrees to Pay $2 Million Penalty By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:55:17 EDT NORDAM Group Inc., a provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services based in Tulsa, Okla., has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to pay a $2 million penalty to resolve violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Files Lawsuit Requiring Rutherford County, Tenn., to Allow Mosque to Open in City of Murfreesboro By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:10:51 EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit against Rutherford County, Tenn., alleging that the county violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) when, in compliance with a state chancery court ruling, it refused to process or issue a certificate of occupancy to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro for a recently constructed mosque. The department’s complaint states that a certificate of occupancy is needed immediately so that the Islamic Center can hold worship services at the new facility during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins at sundown on July 19. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Hacker Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Role in Two Hacking Schemes Involving a Total of More Than 240,000 Stolen Credit Card Numbers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:53:34 EDT Aleksandr Suvorov, of Estonia, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for his role in two separate hacking schemes involving a total of more than 240,000 stolen credit card numbers. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Maine Resident Charged and Arrested for Allegedly Engaging in Cyber “Sextortion” of New Hampshire Victim By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:47:18 EDT John Bryan Villegas, 21, of Kittery, Maine, was arrested yesterday and made his initial appearance today in federal court in New Hampshire. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Former President of Texas Company Indicted for Employee Deaths and Environmental Violations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:31:33 EDT Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services LLC (PACES) and its former president Matthew L. Bowman have been charged with conspiracy to illegally transport hazardous materials, resulting in the deaths of two employees, in an indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Beaumont, Texas. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Michigan Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Detroit-Area Medicare Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:23:04 EDT Nabeel Shaikh, 30, of Wixom, Mich., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen of the Eastern District of Michigan. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:52:00 EDT Two foreign nationals have pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme to traffic the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Singapore Academy of Law By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:21:34 EDT "This evening, I’m proud to echo President Obama’s message of partnership – and to express my nation’s dedication to working alongside critical allies like Singapore to promote peace, opportunity, and prosperity throughout Asia. And I am privileged to be a part of the Obama Administration’s broad engagement with this region as we address new ways to confront serious legal issues and to combat cross-border crimes," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
re $19 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Conspiracy Charged in Alaska By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:06:05 EDT A grand jury sitting in Anchorage, Ala., returned a 90-count superseding indictment yesterday against 11 defendants. The superseding indictment included a conspiracy charge to defraud the United States involving a scheme to use stolen Puerto Rican identities to file tax returns and obtain fraudulent income tax refunds. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Virginia Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Acting as Unregistered Agent for Syrian Government By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:01:14 EDT Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid, 48, a resident of Leesburg, Va., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for collecting video and audio recordings and other information about individuals in the United States and Syria who were protesting the government of Syria and to providing these materials to Syrian intelligence agencies in order to silence, intimidate and potentially harm the protestors. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Former Financial Services Executive Indicted for His Participation in a Far-Reaching Conspiracy and Scheme to Defraud Involving Investment Contracts for the Proceeds of Municipal Bonds By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:36:23 EDT A former financial services executive was indicted yesterday for his participation in a far-reaching conspiracy and scheme to defraud related to bidding for contracts for the investment of municipal bond proceeds and other municipal finance contracts. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Starr County, Texas, Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested and Detained on Bribery, Extortion and Drug Charges By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:59:43 EDT A Deputy Sheriff for the Starr County, Texas, Sherriff’s Office has been ordered detained by a federal magistrate judge in the Southern District of Texas on charges of conspiracy, federal programs bribery, extortion and drug possession with intent to distribute. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Fishermen and Seafood Wholesaler Convicted of Conspiring to Obstruct Justice, Falsify Food Safety and Oyster Harvest Records, and Traffic in Illegal Oysters By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:57:20 EDT After a seven week trial in federal court in Camden, N.J., multiple defendants were convicted on various felony counts of creating false records, trafficking in illegally possessed oysters, obstructing the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of public health and safety, and conspiring to commit those crimes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Acting Director of the Office on Violence Against Women Bea Hanson Speaks at the National Lieutenant Governors Association Annual Meeting By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:23:22 EDT "Your role in the executive and legislative branches is unique, and you can use that position to engage with your states and encourage innovative, non-traditional partnerships across government and between local units of government and non-governmental organizations. These partnerships can create dynamic solutions to challenges we see across the country every day," said Acting Director Hanson. Full Article Speech
re Three Men Sentenced in Houston for Federal Hate Crimes Related to the Assault of African-American Man By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:56:03 EDT Kerstetter was sentenced to 77 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Cannon was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. And McLaughlin was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Florida Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:37:24 EDT Ernst Pierre, a Port St. Lucie, Fla., tax preparer, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced. Pierre was charged with a scheme to file false federal income tax returns using stolen identity information. Pierre was also ordered to pay over $266,000 in restitution to the IRS. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re U.S. Restrains More Than $3 Million in Corruption Proceeds Related to Former Governor of Nigeria By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:40:34 EDT Through an application to register and enforce two orders from United Kingdom courts, the Department of Justice has secured a restraining order against more than $3 million in corruption proceeds located in the United States related to James Onanefe Ibori, the former governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary Speaks at the Center for AIDS Research Corrections Subgroup By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:07:52 EDT "For too long, our jails and prisons have been thought of as sealed institutions, where all problems – and all dangers – are contained. But that is clearly not the case. Health care is a powerful example of how issues that are unresolved – and, too often, exacerbated – in the corrections setting can lead to public health and public safety risks," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Leary. Full Article Speech
re Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the National District Attorneys Association Summer Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:24:27 EDT “The remarkable public safety achievements of the last 20 years are threatened unless reforms are instituted,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. Full Article Speech
re Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Philadelphia Violent Crime Reduction Partnership Announcement Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:48:37 EDT "From last month’s announcement – right here in Philadelphia – of more than $111 million in COPS Hiring Program grant awards to save or create jobs for approximately 800 officers – including more than $3 million for this city to hire 25 new officers – to our efforts to better understand and address the threats that law enforcement officers face every day – I’m proud to report that our dedication to ensuring the safety, and the success, of America’s law enforcement officers has never been stronger," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
re Justice Department Signs Agreements in Texas and Georgia to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:45:29 EDT The Justice Department today announced agreements with Wills Point, Texas, and Randolph County, Ga., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for individuals with disabilities Full Article OPA Press Releases
re U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Pleads Guilty in Miami to Civil Rights Violations for Sexual Assault of Three Women By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:30:09 EDT U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer Paulo Morales, 47, of Miami, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Miami to three civil rights offenses for sexually groping three women in his custody. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Former North Carolina Builder Arrested and Charged with Tax Obstruction and Conversion of Government Property By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:12:06 EDT William B. Clayton, a residential builder formerly of Corolla, N.C., was arrested yesterday on charges of obstructing the tax laws and converting government property. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Texas Return Preparer Sentenced to Jail for Preparing False Tax Returns By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:26:30 EDT Eddye L. Lovely, a tax return preparer from Tomball, Texas, was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Alabama Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to Conspiracies to Rig Bids and Commit Mail Fraud for the Purchase of Real Estate at Public Foreclosure Auctions By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:32:29 EDT An Alabama real estate investor pleaded guilty today for his role in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in southern Alabama. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Announces Consent Decree with City of New Orleans to Resolve Allegations of Unlawful Misconduct by New Orleans Police Department By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:06:32 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that the United States has entered into a comprehensive, cooperative consent decree with the city of New Orleans to resolve allegations of unlawful police misconduct by the New Orleans Police Department. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Detroit-Area Health Care Clinic Owner Sentenced to Serve 60 Months in Prison for Role in $8.5 Million Diagnostic Testing Fraud Scheme By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:22:26 EDT Miami-area resident Emilio Haber, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patrick Duggan in the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West Speaks at the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Boston Site Visit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 09:48:32 EDT "Attorney General Holder often says that fighting violence in our cities and building a fair and effective justice system – a system that keeps citizens safe and maintains its legitimacy in the eyes of everyone it serves – has never been more difficult, nor more urgent, than right now," said Acting Associate Attorney General West. Full Article Speech
re Acting Director of the Office on Violence Against Women Bea Hanson Speaks at the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Boston Site Visit By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:08:39 EDT "As we work to help keep our children safe, we cannot view youth violence and violence against women as separate and distinct, but, instead, as intertwined. To realize our vision for safe and healthy communities, we must start with safe and healthy homes," said Acting Director Hanson. Full Article Speech
re Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the NOBLE Annual Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:23:34 EDT "As a result of your leadership, especially in recent years, NOBLE has made great strides in expanding its reach – and rallying new allies, supporters, and partners to the cause of ensuring equity, accountability, and fairness in the administration of justice – for communities both large and small – across the country," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
re Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the City of New Orleans Consent Decree Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:55:43 EDT "There can be no question that today’s action represents a critical step forward. It reaffirms the Justice Department’s commitment to fair and vigorous law enforcement at every level. It underscores our determination to work alongside federal, state, local, and tribal authorities to protect not only the safety – but the essential civil rights – of everyone in this country," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
re Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the City of New Orleans Consent Decree Press Conference By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:00:28 EDT "There is significant emphasis on transparency, community engagement and sustainability. The decree places tools in the hands of the entire community so that long after the agreement has ended, effective, constitutional policing will endure. There are creative approaches to assessing compliance that focus on meaningful outcomes and encourage innovation," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
re $1 Million in Restitution Payments Announced to Preserve North Carolina Wetlands By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:50:52 EDT North Carolina’s Waccamaw River watershed will benefit from a $1 million restitution order from a federal court, funding environmental projects to acquire and preserve wetlands in an area damaged by illegal releases of wastewater from a corporate hog farm. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Signs Agreement with Kansas City, Missouri, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:30:42 EDT The agreement is the 200th settlement reached under Project Civic Access (PCA), the department’s wide-ranging initiative to ensure that cities, towns and counties throughout the country comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Wilcox County, Georgia, Jailer Pleads Guilty in Connection with Assault of Three Inmates By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:41:56 EDT The Justice Department announced today that former Wilcox County, Ga., Jailer Casey Owens pleaded guilty to a misprision of a felony in connection with an incident in which several people, including law enforcement officials, assaulted three inmates inside of the Wilcox County Jail in Abbeville, Ga. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Co-Owners of Houston-Area Durable Medical Equipment Company Sentenced to Prison for Role in $1.18 Million Medicare Fraud By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:08:19 EDT Clifford Ubani, 54, and Princewill Njoku, 53, the former co-owners of Family Healthcare Services, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller in the Southern District of Texas in Houston. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Two Southern California Men Each Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Their Roles in a Nationwide Breach of Credit and Debit Card Terminals at Michaels Stores Inc. By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:46:42 EDT Eduard Arakelyan, 21, and Arman Vardanyan, 23, were each sentenced yesterday to serve 36 months in prison on bank fraud and conspiracy charges, and an additional, consecutive 24 months in prison for the identity theft charge. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Requires Divestitures in Order for United Technologies Corporation to Proceed with Its Acquisition of Goodrich Corporation By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:52:18 EDT The Department of Justice announced today that it will require United Technologies Corporation (UTC) to divest certain assets used in the production of electrical power systems and aircraft engine control systems in order to proceed with its acquisition of Goodrich Corporation. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Announces Americans with Disabilities Act Barrier-free Health Care Initiative by Us Attorney’s Offices Nationwide By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:49:20 EDT U.S. Attorney’s offices across the nation are partnering with the Civil Rights Division to target their enforcement efforts on a critical area for individuals with disabilities through a new Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, the Justice Department announced today. The announcement comes on the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed on July 26, 1990. Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez announced the new initiative today at an event celebrating the anniversary of the ADA in Washington, D.C. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Justice Department Reaches $12 Million Settlement to Resolve Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by Capital One By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:44:11 EDT Capital One N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA) N.A. (together Capital One), have agreed to pay approximately $12 million to resolve a lawsuit by the Department of Justice alleging the companies violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Full Article OPA Press Releases
re Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Testifies Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 10:17:18 EDT "In the year since I last appeared before this Subcommittee, the Civil Rights Division has continued our vigorous, fair and independent enforcement of civil rights laws. It is fitting that I come before you today, on the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark law that represents a bipartisan tradition of evenhanded civil rights enforcement," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
re Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Justice Department Celebration of the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:50:47 EDT "Thanks to the work of so many of you in this room, the ADA has both literally and figuratively opened millions of doors for individuals with disabilities across this nation. Just as importantly, it has revolutionized the way our society thinks about individuals with disabilities, and it has revolutionized the way people with disabilities live in our communities," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. Full Article Speech
re Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Fraud Prevention Partnership Announcement Event By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:45:05 EDT "Through this historic new partnership, government leaders and private sector experts will come together as never before – to share information while protecting patient confidentiality, to leverage critical resources, and to seek out and implement the solutions we need," said Attorney General Holder. Full Article Speech
re Two Former Soldiers Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Illegally Obtain Fraudulent Recruiting Referral Bonuses By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:14:43 EDT former soldiers pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. military and its contractor of at least approximately $244,000 in fraudulent recruiting bonuses. Full Article OPA Press Releases